Herb's Introduction
Hippophae rhamnoides L., commonly known as Sea buckthorn, is a remarkable plant belonging to the Elaeagnaceae family. It is a thorny, deciduous shrub or a small tree with a deep, penetrating, and strong root system. The plant has been recognized for centuries, particularly in traditional medicine systems of Tibet and Inner Mongolia, for its multifaceted therapeutic properties. Its uses range from regulating digestive functions to treating various skin ailments and providing a nutritional boost. The fruit, leaves, and seeds all possess medicinal value, making it a highly versatile and significant herb. The juicy, ripe fruits are edible and serve as fodder for animals such as goats, camels, and sheep.
Name in Different Countries
Sea buckthorn is known by many names across the globe, reflecting its wide distribution and long history of use. The common English names are Sea buckthorn and seaberry. Below is a list of its names in various languages as provided in the source text:
Arabic: أبو فايس (Abu Fais)
Armenian: Չիչխան սովորական (Chichkhan sovorakan)
Azerbaijani: Murdarçayabənzər çaytikanı
Bashkir: Һырғанаҡ (Syrtanak)
Belarusian: Абляпіха крушынападобная (Abliapikha krushynapadobnaia)
Bulgarian: Облепиха (Oblepikha)
Catalan: Arç groc
Croatian: Pasji trn
Czech: Rakytník řešetlákový
Danish: Almindelig Havtorn
Dutch: Duindoorn
Estonian: Harilik astelpaju
Finnish: Tyrni
French: Argousier
Galician: Espiñeiro marítimo
German: Sanddorn
Hindi: Dhurchuk, Chumaa, Tarwaa
Hungarian: Európai homoktövis
Italian: olivella spinosa
Kabardian: Къазмакъей (Kazmakey)
Kashubian: Sëdwina
Kazakh: Шырғанақ (өсімдік) (Shyrganak)
Kyrgyz: Кадимки чычырканак (Kadimki chychyrkanak)
Latvian: Pabērzu smiltsērkšķis
Lithuanian: Dygliuotasis šaltalankis
Manx: Bugogue varrey
Nepali: मलो malo
Norwegian: Tindved
Pashto: اکبار (Akbar)
Persian: سنجد تلخ (Sanjad talkh)
Polish: Rokitnik zwyczajny
Punjabi: Sirmaa
Romanian: cătină
Russian: oblepicha
Serbian: Пасји трн (Pasji trn)
Slovenian: Navadni rakitovec
Spanish: Espino Amarillo
Swedish: Havtorn
Udmurt: Вӧёпу (Vojopu)
Uzbek: Chakanda
Voro: Nõglapai
Terminology
The scientific classification of this plant places it within the Elaeagnaceae family. Its full scientific name is Hippophae rhamnoides L. The provided text lists several synonyms, which are other scientific names that have been used to refer to this species historically. These include:
Argussiera rhamnoides Bubani
Argussiera rhamnoides (L.) Bubani
Elaeagnus rhamnoides Royle
Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson
Hippophae rhamnoidea St.-Lag.
Hippophaes rhamnoideum (L.) St.Lag.
Hippophaes rhamnoideum St.-Lag.
Rhamnoides hippophae Moench
Availability
The source text highlights the traditional use of the fruit of H. rhamnoides in Tibet and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regions, suggesting its historical and current availability in those areas. It also mentions its use in Central Asia, specifically Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, where it is listed as a medicinal plant. The plant itself is a shrub or small tree, and its widespread use and numerous names in various languages indicate its presence across parts of Europe and Asia.
External Look
As a thorny, deciduous shrub or small tree, Hippophae rhamnoides has several distinct features. Its leaves are oblong-lanceolate and covered with a white-downy layer on their underside. The flowers of the plant are sexually dimorphic; male flowers are yellowish-brown and appear in small catkins before the leaves emerge, while the female flowers appear with the leaves in small racemes. The fruits are a key identifying feature: they are globular, juicy berries that ripen to a vibrant orange or red color. The branches of the plant are typically thorny.
Healing Properties
Hippophae rhamnoides is rich in medicinal properties, as supported by both traditional use and documented scientific observations mentioned in the text. The fruits are a traditional herbal medicine used to regulate the function of the stomach and intestines and to treat conditions such as indigestion and abdominal pains. They are also known for being astringent, antidiarrheal, and stomachic.
The plant has been well-documented to have a range of beneficial effects, including:
Antioxidant and Immunostimulative Properties: The alcoholic extracts of the leaves and fruits have been shown to inhibit chromium-induced free radical production, apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation. These extracts also boost lymphocyte proliferation.
Anti-inflammatory and Regenerative Effects: It has antiulcerogenic properties and is used to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers. A decoction of the fruits is drunk to treat ulcers.
Dermatological Benefits: Fresh fruits are used to moisturize the skin and help heal small wounds and burns. They also treat skin diseases associated with poor metabolism. A topical application of 1.0% sea buckthorn leaf extract significantly augmented the wound healing process by increasing hydroxyproline and protein content and reducing the wound area.
Respiratory and Systemic Health: The berries, with high levels of vitamins A and C, make an ideal supplement to prevent colds and sore throats. The juice or syrup improves resistance to colds, sore throats, and sinus problems. It is also used as an antitussive (cough suppressant).
Other Traditional Uses: The plant is used as an analgesic for stomach pain. An infusion of the leaves is applied to the body to treat rheumatism. A decoction of the seeds is used as a laxative. The plant is also used to address toothaches, joint pain, liver, lung, and phlegm diseases, menstrual disorders, dysentery, gum infections, blood disorders, diabetes, and intestinal parasites.
Advantages
The primary advantages of Sea buckthorn stem from its rich nutritional and phytochemical composition. It is a natural source of high levels of minerals and vitamins A and C. It is also rich in antioxidant bioflavonoids, which support capillary and arterial health when taken long-term. Its versatility is another major advantage, as different parts of the plant—the fruit, leaves, and seeds—can be used for various purposes, both internally and externally. Its traditional use and documented effects suggest it offers a holistic approach to health, addressing multiple systems of the body, from digestive and immune functions to skin regeneration.
Uses
The uses of Hippophae rhamnoides are extensive and varied:
Herbal Medicine: The fruit is a traditional herbal medicine in Tibet and Inner Mongolia for regulating digestion and treating stomach ailments.
Digestive Aid: It is used as a remedy for stomach pain, to improve digestion, and as an antidiarrheal agent.
Wound and Skin Care: Fresh fruits are used to moisturize the skin, heal small wounds and burns, and treat skin diseases. Preparations are used externally for burns, bedsores, and other skin complications induced by X-ray and radiation treatments.
Nutritional Supplement: The berries, rich in vitamins A and C, serve as a supplement to prevent colds and sore throats. The juice or syrup is used to improve resistance to various upper respiratory tract issues.
Animal Fodder: The shrub provides fodder for goats, camels, and sheep.
Culinary: The juicy ripe fruits are edible raw and are also used extensively for the preparation of concentrate.
Specific Treatments: A decoction of the fruits is used to treat ulcers, and it can also be added to baths to prevent skin diseases. An infusion of the leaves is drunk or applied directly to the body to treat rheumatism. A decoction of the seeds is used as a laxative.
Using Way
The provided text details several specific ways to use different parts of the plant:
For Ulcers and Skin Diseases: A decoction of the fruits is prepared by boiling them and is then either drunk to treat ulcers or added to baths to prevent skin diseases.
For Skin: Fresh fruits are used directly on the skin to moisturize and help heal small wounds and burns. A topical application of 1.0% leaf extract is used for wound healing.
For Rheumatism: An infusion of the leaves is prepared for drinking or for direct application to the affected areas of the body.
For Laxative Effects: A decoction of the seeds is used.
For Colds and Sinus Issues: The juice or syrup of the berries is consumed.
As Food: The fruits can be eaten raw or processed into a concentrate.
Conclusion
Hippophae rhamnoides, or Sea buckthorn, is a highly valuable and multifaceted plant with a rich history of traditional use and documented medicinal properties. From its thorny branches to its vitamin-rich berries, every part of the plant offers a benefit. It is a powerful natural antioxidant, immunostimulant, and regenerative agent, with significant applications for digestive health, skin care, and bolstering the immune system. Its widespread use and diverse names across different cultures underscore its importance as a traditional remedy and a modern-day health supplement. The information provided highlights its efficacy in treating a wide array of ailments, from common colds to complex skin and digestive issues, affirming its status as a vital herb in traditional and contemporary medicine.
